American Roots

Columbus Day Renamed to Honor First Peoples

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Many people feel that Christopher Columbus is partly responsible for the genocide of Native Americans, and bestowing him a day of celebration adds insult to injury. In a progressive move, the Anadarko City Council, in Oklahoma, unanimously voted to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day—observed this year on October 9. City employees get the holiday off, and other municipalities in Oklahoma have followed suit.